Senior professionals are leading India’s artificial intelligence (AI) upskilling wave, with individuals having over 15 years of work experience accounting for more than 40% of all GenAI and AI/ML enrolments in 2025, according to new insights released by edtech firm Great Learning. The analysis, based on behavioural data from over one million learners, highlights how AI skills are increasingly becoming essential for leadership roles and strategic decision-making across industries.
The report shows that AI and Machine Learning remained the most sought-after domain in 2025, recording a 17% year-on-year increase in demand, followed by Data Science, Software Development, Cloud Computing, and Cybersecurity. Freshers and early-career professionals with up to three years of experience accounted for 48% of total enrolments, underscoring the importance of upskilling across the professional lifecycle. Notably, 77% of learners came from non-IT/ITES sectors such as BFSI, manufacturing, healthcare, and energy, reflecting the growing cross-industry adoption of AI capabilities. Nearly one-third of AI learners also came from non-STEM educational backgrounds, indicating broader accessibility of AI education.
Kolkata is witnessing growing interest in AI-focused professional courses, particularly among professionals in banking, manufacturing, and services sectors. Training providers report increasing corporate-sponsored enrolments, suggesting that eastern India is steadily emerging as a regional hub for enterprise-driven AI skill development.